Amusement device



AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Dec. 10, 1932 Inventor Mal /2&0 EJ8 7671? f1 llorney Patented Feb. 20, 1934 AMUSEMENT DEVICE Matthew Francis Lathers, Orlando, Fla.

Application December 10, 1932 Serial No. 646,688.

1 Claim,

nevertheless evolved and produced a simple and" economical structure which, it is believed, con- 16 stitutes a structurally different and distinguishable contribution to the prior art.

By way of comparison with the aforesaid admittedly old and previously patented games, I would point out that I have nevertheless discov- 20 ered a unique and unusual game or contrivance whose possibilities and merits are clever and far reaching in nature so far as manipulation and accomplished skill of performance are concerned, this having been accomplished by the embodiment in the structure of an arrangement which is made to resemble. and represent a miniature base ball diamond. 1 7

Otherwise stated, the product developed as the result of my discovery is especially conditioned 80 from a structural viewpoint to promote enthusiastic play in an amusing and energeticiway in order that the participants may acquire the requisite skill necessary for dependable, uniform, and winning results.

Visualized specifically and from a, structural aspect, it will be observed that the miniature baseball game constituting the novelty of the invention embodies a diamond-shaped handle equipped paddle wherein the playing field or diamond is "0 equipped with distinguishable holes through which the ballis passed, together with a cord.

which is inelastic, and is progressively shortened as each play is completed, whereby to require the exercise of foresight and expert judgment in handling in order to provide opportunity in compiling a decisive score.

Other features and advantages which serve to characterize the invention and qualify it as a mechanical achievement in this particular line of endeavor will'become more readily apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the drawing:- I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention as constructed in accordance with my ambition and aims.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the approximate way in which scoring plays are progressively made. a

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference numerals it will be observed that the 60 principal part of. the device is in the nature of a paddle. This may be of wood, heavy cardboard or any suitable material practicable for the purpose. The paddle is shaped to provide a conveniently grasped and manipulated handle 3 and a .65 diamond-shaped portion 4 which represents the miniature ball diamond or field. The latterfeature 4 is provided with four distinguishable apertures or openings differentiated by the numerals 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively. These are systematically arranged at points of the field corresponding to first base, second base, third base and home plate. The size of these openings is gradually diminished in the order named. Otherwise stated, the largest hole 5 which represents first base is rather conveniently located to facilitate passage of the ball 9 therethrough. This is a rubber ball and is attached to the free end portion of an inelastic cord 10. The cord is of a predetermined length and rigidly secured as at '11 to the central portion of the baseball diamond. A rubber ball is used due to its nature to rebound when it strikes the playing .field, whereby to add to the difiiculty of passing the ball through a predetermined or intended hole. Incidentally all of the holes are sufiiciently large to permit passage of the ball with the exception of hole number 8 which represents home plate and which is just a fraction larger than the ball, whereby to require the exercise of unusual skill in trapping the ball so that it will pass through this particular high scoring hole.

The rules and regulations for playing the game may, as is obvious, be varied to suit conditions. Moreover, the game may be played by'a single person for individual amusement, or by a group of participants for competitive amusement. It may be decided, for example, that if the ball 9 passes through first base hole number 5, it merely counts a single point, or whereas if it passes'loo through hole number 6 (second base), it would count three; if it passes through hole number '7 L (third base) it would count five; and finally if it passes through hole number 8 (home plate) it would total nine.

The numbers corresponding to the values of the holes may be placed on the face of the playing field to indicate, their respective scoring values. Moreover as before stated, the cord 10 is inelastic and of a predetermined length it be- 110 ing the object of this to permit each player to continue to make trials and play until the complete length of-cord is used up, as for example shown in Fig. 2. Naturally, ifthe ball is repeatedly placed through hole number 8 (which easy for the competitors to keep track of the counts nine points each time). quite a number of plays could be made before the complete length of cord is used up. This arrangement permits the players to have only the number of plays permitted by the progressive shortening of the cord as the ball is passed successively through the Various holes. As illustrated in Fig. 2 for example, the player merely had four scoring plays, the ball having first been passed through hole number 6, then through hole' number '7, and finally through hole number 8, thus giving this particular player a total of eighteen points'as is obvious. ..Moreover, under this arrangement it is plays since the cord actually shows the various plays which have been definitely scored. However as before stated, these remarks are merely briefly explanatory'and illustrate one method'of play.

diamond shape is of significance in playing the game for as shown-in Fig. 2, the cord having once passed over an edge of the paddle which is distant from the hole through which the ball has passed, it will not slip around to a position ad jacent the hole, as would be the case if the periphery were curved, but the cord will remain in place and a large'portion thereof will be used up in obtaining a score of one hole. obvious that skill and judgment must be exer cised by the player to get a high score in playing the holes progressively, by causing the cord to The fact that the periphery of the paddleis of It will be quired for juggling and literally throwing the ball through the various holes.

It is, thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that'minor changes coming within the field of the invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what -I claim as new is:-

In a game apparatus, a paddle member comprising a'bo y portion and an integral handle portion extending therefrom, the body portion having a substantially diamond shape in simulation of the infield of a baseball diamond, the body portion having four holes therethrough, and located to correspond to the bases, of the diamond, the holes progressively increasing in size from the one corresponding to home plate to the one corresponding to first base, a ball tethered to said paddle member, the ball being of such size that it may pass through any of said holes. 

